Huswife

Origin

From Middle English, equivalent to house + wife. See also hussy.

Full definition of huswife

Noun

1. (obsolete) A housewife.
2. (obsolete) A worthless woman; hussy.
• 1621, Robert Burton (scholar), :He cals her on a sudden, all to naught; she is a strumpet, a light huswife, a bitch, an arrant whore.
3. A small case containing scissors, thread, needles, and other sewing things.
• 1811, Jane Austen, , chapter 38:And for my part, I was all in a fright for fear your sister should ask us for the huswifes she had gave us a day or two before; but however, nothing was said about them, and I took care to keep mine out of sight.
• 1815, Jane Austen, Emma, volume 2, chapter 1:I was sure it could not be far off; but I had put my huswife upon it, you see, without being aware, and so it was quite hid, but I had it in my hand so very lately that I was almost sure it must be on the table.

Verb

1. (said of a woman) To manage with frugality.